Antique Circa 1770's Hand Carved Gold Balance Cock
Necklace & Bracelet Set - $695.00

This is a very incredible and utterly unique jewelry combination. This necklace and matching bracelet set incorporate two extremely old, hand carved watch parts known as balance cocks. These particular balance cocks come from pocket watches that were made by hand in the mid to late 1700's. This style of pocket watch was known at the time as a bell repeater - the pocket watch contained a bell and the bell would chime on the hour and on each quarter hour with a loud clear and very pleasing tone. These pocket watches were quite large and they also had to be designed so the sound could escape the case, therefore the metal case would be punched clean through, or pierced, usually amongst an elaborate carving of leaves, flowers, intricate scenes or other similar hand carved decorations. The most elaborate work was reserved for the balance cock, which was situation prominently in the center of the pocket watch. The carvings often incorporated more intricate scenes in miniature as well as faces (including the two offered here), demons or animal faces. The second to last photo on this page is an example of such a pocket watch with this style of balance cock. Pocket watches of this style currently sell to collectors for $10,000 and up.

It should be noted that these watches were very much a luxury in this era and would have been reserved almost exclusively for royalty or noblemen, certainly those with substantial means in a time when there was no existence of a middle class. Although the origins of the two examples below cannot be traced, it is without a doubt that the owners of the watches from which these originated were of noble blood.

The necklace includes one gold antique balance cock as the focal. It is flanked by two jade German glass cabs in vintage brass settings. The piece is suspended from a vintage solid brass twisted chain consisting of soldered, extremely strong and elegant links. Each balance cock measures 1-1/2 inches long by 7/8 of an inch wide. The necklace is 20 inches in length with a gold plated spring clasp and the bracelet is 7-3/4 inches long. The bracelet can be adjusted to shorter lengths or can be made longer with an extender chain upon request.

To purchase either piece individually, please go to the bottom of the page.